Upgrading Skylights During Your Roof Replacement

Getting a new roof is a major milestone for any homeowner in Central Arkansas. It is a significant investment that protects your family, enhances your home's curb appeal, and secures your property's structural integrity for decades to come. But while you are focused on choosing the right shingle color and understanding warranties, there is one crucial element of your roof system that often gets overlooked until it is too late: your skylights.

If your home currently has skylights, or if you have always dreamed of adding them to brighten up a dark living room or kitchen, a full roof replacement is the absolute best time to make that happen. Many homeowners assume they can just leave their existing skylights in place while the surrounding shingles are replaced, but this is a risky approach that can lead to costly interior water damage down the road.

At Ringer Roofing, we believe in providing a complete, holistic approach to your home's exterior. When we handle your residential roofing project, we look at every penetration, flashing point, and ventilation component to ensure they all work together seamlessly. Let's explore why addressing your skylights during a roof replacement is a smart, cost-effective decision that will save you headaches in the future.

A beautiful suburban home featuring a newly installed architectural shingle roof with two modern, clean skylights letting bright natural light into the house. The sky is clear and blue, highlighting the high-quality roofing materials and pristine landscaping.

The Hidden Risks of Leaving Old Skylights in Place

When a roofing crew tears off your old shingles, they strip the roof down to the bare wooden decking. This process involves removing the old underlayment, nails, and the metal flashing that surrounds your chimney, vents, and skylights.

Skylights have a lifespan that is very similar to an asphalt shingle roof—typically around 15 to 20 years. If your roof is due for a replacement, chances are your skylights are nearing the end of their functional life as well. The seals around the glass begin to degrade over time due to constant UV exposure, and the flashing kits that integrate the unit into the roof can become warped or rusted.

Replacing skylights during roof replacement is the most logical and cost-effective approach. If you choose to leave an old skylight in place, the roofing crew has to carefully work around it, attempting to integrate new underlayment and shingles with old, potentially compromised flashing. If that old skylight fails a year or two later, you will have to pay a crew to come back, tear up your brand-new shingles, install the new skylight, and patch the roof back together. This not only costs significantly more in labor, but it also breaks the continuous seal of your new roofing system.

Defending Against the Elements

We all know that Arkansas Weather can be incredibly unpredictable. From blistering summer heat to severe spring hail and sudden pop-up thunderstorms, your roof takes a beating year-round.

One of the most common calls we get after a heavy storm is for interior ceiling leaks, and very often, the culprit is a failing skylight seal or improper installation. Preventing skylight leaks with proper flashing is a critical part of our installation process.

When we install a new roof, we don't just nail down shingles. We install a comprehensive roofing system. We use premium TAMKO products, including synthetic underlayment and specialized ice and water shields that adhere directly to the roof deck. When a new skylight is installed simultaneously, we can weave the skylight's flashing kit directly into these waterproofing barriers. This creates a watertight, impenetrable seal that simply cannot be achieved if you are trying to retrofit a new skylight into an existing roof.

Furthermore, modern skylights are built to withstand severe weather much better than older models. If you live in a storm-prone area, upgrading to impact-resistant glass can provide peace of mind when the hail starts falling, perfectly complementing a Class 4 impact-rated shingle system like TAMKO HailGuard.

Professional roofers in safety harnesses and company uniforms carefully installing a new skylight on a residential roof deck. The image clearly shows the integration of the metal flashing with the synthetic underlayment and ice/water shield, demonstrating a clean, organized, and safe work environment.

Embracing Modern Efficiency

If your skylights are more than a decade old, you are likely losing a significant amount of energy through them. Older acrylic domes or single-pane glass units are notorious for letting the winter heat escape and allowing the intense summer sun to bake your living spaces, driving up your utility bills.

Today's market offers incredible energy efficient skylight options for home improvement. Modern units feature double-paned glass with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings and argon gas fills between the panes. This advanced technology allows beautiful, natural sunlight to flood your home while blocking the transfer of heat and harmful UV rays that can fade your furniture and hardwood floors.

By upgrading your skylights while replacing your roof, you are making a dual investment in your home's energy efficiency. When paired with proper attic ventilation and energy-efficient 'cool roof' shingles, your home will stay much more comfortable during those long, hot months in The Natural State.

Navigating Costs, Insurance, and Peace of Mind

We understand that a full roof replacement is a major financial commitment, and adding new skylights to the scope of work increases the initial estimate. However, bundling these projects saves you a substantial amount on labor costs compared to doing them separately.

If your roof replacement is the result of storm damage, navigating the insurance claim process can feel overwhelming. Out-of-state storm chasers often flood the area after severe weather, making it hard to know who to trust. As a local, family-owned business, we take full responsibility for communicating with your insurance carrier from start to finish. We help ensure that all damaged components of your roof—including compromised skylights—are properly documented and accounted for in your claim.

For homeowners looking to manage the investment of a retail roof replacement, we also offer flexible financing options through our lending partners. With quick pre-approval and various payment plans, you can get the complete, high-quality roofing system and modern skylights you deserve without compromising your budget.

Finally, doing the job right the first time means you get the full benefit of our robust workmanship warranties. We stand behind our installations, and when we install your roof and skylights together, you have a single point of contact for any future exterior home maintenance needs.

A bright, welcoming interior shot of a living room looking up at a newly installed, modern flat-glass skylight. The natural light illuminates the room beautifully, highlighting the clean drywall finish around the skylight shaft and conveying a sense of comfort and home improvement.

Ready to Transform Your Home?

Your roof is your home's first line of defense, and your skylights should be a source of joy and natural light, not a source of anxiety every time it rains. By choosing to upgrade your skylights during your roof replacement, you are ensuring a watertight seal, improving your home's energy efficiency, and saving money on future labor costs.

At Ringer Roofing, we combine traditional, hands-on inspections with modern digital tools to provide you with the most accurate, transparent, and stress-free experience possible. We treat every home with personal care, utilizing magnetic nail sweeps and protective tarps to keep your property safe throughout the installation process.

If you are considering a roof replacement and want to explore your skylight options, don't wait for a leak to force your hand. Contact our team in Little Rock today to schedule your free, comprehensive roof inspection. Let us help you build a roofing system that is truly built to last.